Toothbrush holder



Oct. 11, 1,949. N P I 2,484,157

TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Filed Feb. 17, 1948 ,4 5 r Fig 2 9 /0 I 8 9 ,0 l 1 1 IIla 14% Inventor Herman Dunlap mu away 3m Patented Oct. 11, :1949

TOOTHBRUSH HOLDER Herman Dunlap, St. Louis, Mo.

Application February 17, 1948, Serial No. 8,819

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements intooth brush holders and has more specific reference to a novel rackwherein transparent cover-shields are employed to enclose the brushheads in a manner to render same substantially dust-proof and otherwisein good shape for sanitary use.

As the opening statement of the invention implies, I am suificientlycoversant with the general state of the prior art to which the inventionrelates to appreciate that it is not new to provide a rack and to equipsame with glass or equivalent dome-like shields to encase the suspendedbrush heads. What is more, I am aware that it is old and well known toprovide specially shaped apertures or openings in the rack in such a wayas to permit the brushes to be inserted upwardly through saidaperturesand thereafter removably suspended within the confines of theprotective shields. It follows that in carrying out the principles ofthe present invention I employ a construction which is possessed ofrefinements and distinctions which contribute their proportionate sharesin providing what is believed to be a better and more satisfactory toothbrush rack.

In carrying out the principles of the instant invention I provide aconstruction which is characterized essentially by two sections orunits; a base unit including a, hanger ledge for supporting the covershields, and a complemental unit which is removably mounted on the baseunit and which is so constructed as to provide a shelf or tray which isdisposable to overlie the crown or dome portions of said shields.

More particularly, novelty is predicated upon two units, the base unithaving an upstanding back wall, and the other unit having a dependingdrop flange which is detachably mounted on said back wall thus providinga construction in which the parts are separable for ready cleaning,repairing, and for other purposes.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become morereadily apparent from the followin description and the accompanyingillustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a multiple-type tooth brush rackconstructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the lower or base unit of said rack; and,

Figures 3 and 4 are transverse vertical sections on the lines 3-3 and4-4 respectively of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawing the holder is constructed of plastic orother equivalent mate rial and is characterized, as before mentioned, bya base unit 5 and a complemental secondary or top unlt 6. The base unitcomprises a longitudinally elongated horizontally disposable ledge 1having along its normally inner longitudinal edge a vertical back wallwhich, as shown, include a central segmental portion 8 and reducedterminal or end portions 9, these being provided at suitable points withupstanding dowel pins I0. Reference being had now to Figure 4 it will beobserved that the ledge is provided, as previously stated, withespecially shaped apertures. Each aperture comprises a major circularportion ll having, to one side thereof, a keyhole-shaped slot l2. Thistype of aperture, which is not unusual in this art, allows the brushhead 13, on the usual handle l4, to be inserted upwardly through themain opening and then shifted laterally and suspended in the keyholeslot. The brush is dislodged and removed by reversing the procedure, inan obvious manner. It will be seen too, that the ledge is provided, inalignment with each aperture, with an upstanding marginal lip Hi. In topplan view this is substantially ovate in form. The purpose of the lip isto serve as a seating retainer for the lower open end of the coactingtransparent cover shield l6. Each shield is in the form of an invertedcup having a flattened crown or dome portion. As previously explained, Iam aware that dust-proof shields serving the same purpose are commonlydisclosed in similar prior patents.

Referring now to the section 6, this is an improved part and comprises ahorizontally elongated member [1 which may be conveniently referred toas a top shield. This may be recessed (not shown) to function, as atray, if so desired. In any event, the shelf is provided along onelongitudinal edge with a drop flange I8 whose lower edge is shaped toconform to the portions 8 and 9 of the back wall of the base section l5.In addition, said lower edge has sockets for removable reception ofdowel-type keeper pins Ill. It follows that the section or unit 6 isreadily attachable and detachable and when in place supplements thelower section and provides a shelf [1, which rests upon the crownportions of the cover and which is in parallelism above the ledge I.This shelf serves not only to ornament the appearance of the over-allstructure but possesses 3 7 utility as well inasmuch as miscellaneousarticles may well be supported thereon.

It is obvious that the unit 6 will have to be detached from the unit topermit convenient access to be had to the cover shield. Then, the covershield may be removed for Washing and cleaning or replacement as thesituation may be.

A careful consideration of the foregoing descriptionin conjunction withthe invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader toobtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features ofmerit and novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of theinvention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts maybe resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure -is made fromthe invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. .A protector-type rack for toothbrushes comprising a base unitadapted to be fixedly mounted on 9, wall or equivalent support, saidunit comprising a horizontally disposable longitudinally elongatedledge, said ledge being provided along its normally inner longitudinaledge with a, riser constituting a back wall, said back wall having .anelevated segmental central portion and reduced end portions, saidportions being provided along their edges with upstanding dowelsconstituting keeper pins, said ledge being provided with a pin: ralityof apertures, each aperture including a circular portion and a coactingkeyhole-shaped portion, and said ledge being further provided on itsupper side with upstanding lips bordering said apertures andconstituting seating members for open bottomed cover shields, and asecond, com-- 4 shape to and resting removably on the elevated centraland reduced end portions of said back wall and having sockets into whichsaid pins are removably fitted.

2. A protector-type rack for tooth brushes comprising a base unitadapted to be fixedly mounted on a wall or equivalent support, said unitcomprising a horizontally disposable longitudinally elongated ledge,said ledge being provided along its normally inner longitudinal edgewith a riser constituting a back wall," said back wa'll havingupstanding longitudinally spaced keeper pins, said ledge being providedwith a plurality of apertures and being further provided on its upperside with upstanding lips bordering the apertures, open bottomed covershields resting on said ledge and in alignment with said apertures andheld in place by said upstanding lips, and a second, complemental unitembodying a horizontally disposed shelf resting on the upper ends ofsaid shields and being provided along one longitudinal edge with a dropflange, the lower edge of said flange conforming in shape to the upperedge of said back wall and resting on said upper edge and being providedwith keeper sockets, said keeper pins fitting removably in said sockets.

HERMAN DUNLAP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PA'IENTS Number Name Date 1,353,898 Decker Sept. 28, 19201,397,350 Baker Nov. 315, 1921 1,713,379 Fromwiller May 14, 1929

